Article for transportation and/or storage of shoes

ABSTRACT

A shoe case comprising right and left shoe containers connected via a tether. The shoe containers comprise base portions, top portions, hinges connecting the base and top portions, and latches to secure the top portions in a closed position on the bottom portions. The top portions have lace reliefs with vent apertures disposed therethrough and disguised to give the appearance of lace holes of a shoe. A recess is included on the top portions of the containers to receive a label. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention can include a replaceable deodorizer compound.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to shoe cases, and more specifically to an article for transportation and/or storage of athletic shoes, wherein the present invention comprises a pair of hingedly-openable, latchedly-closable, vented hard-shell cases tethered together, and wherein each case of the pair is dimensioned to receive an athletic shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes provide an image as part of the couture of an individual and, as such, must be retained in good appearance and guarded against damage and/or soiling when not worn. Additionally, athletic shoes often acquire moisture from the foot of the wearer, which can lead to degradation of the footwear and/or undesirable odors emanating therefrom. Accordingly, in addition to protecting the shoe from wear, it is further desirable to provide a means for evaporation of moisture from shoes after they have been utilized to prevent the detrimental effects of mildew, fungus and other environmental agents.

Various attempts have been made to provide protective shoe carrying and storing cases, some with/or without ventilation. However, such attempts have proven disadvantageous. For instance, one prior art device teaches shoe-carrying cases formed of cloth, and having a carrying strap and ventilation holes. However, the foregoing device does not provide the durability of a hard-shell case, or a hingedly-openable case with latch closure, nor are the ventilation holes capable of air drying the upper part of the shoe contained within the cloth cases. Furthermore, the use of cloth does not protect the shoes from the environmental elements, but rather absorbs moisture and odors. Thus, shoes contained in such devices will be unprotected from damage, and are actually at a greater risk of becoming mildewed and/or odoriferous.

Other devices have provided ventilation mechanisms in the base of a shoe container. However, such devices do not facilitate drying of the upper portion of the shoe, which is particularly disadvantageous for athletic shoes, as most athletic shoes comprise fabric upper portions that absorb moisture and, thus, will not dry without airflow.

Still other devices enclosed a pair of shoes in a single box. However, such devices shield the upper portion of the shoe from airflow or other ventilation surfaces that might otherwise reduce mildew and odors. Further, such devices contribute to rubbing or scuffing of the shoes against one another, unless otherwise restrained. Still further devices have utilized soft cloth cases with zipper closure mechanisms that are more susceptible to breakage or jamming than a positive latching mechanism.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a case for transportation and/or storage of shoes, wherein the case protects the shoes from damage and loss by covering the shoes with a hard-shell that positively closes and restrains the shoes associated together, and which further permits evaporation of moisture from the shoes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing an article or case for transportation and/or storage of shoes, particularly athletic shoes, wherein the shoe carrying case comprises a pair of hingedly-closable containers, in right and left shoe shape, secured together via a tether. The containers have vent apertures on the top surface thereof to facilitate drying of shoes contained therewithin, wherein the shoe shape of the container maintains the upper surface of the shoe in close proximity to the top surface of the container, and wherein the vent apertures disposed on the top surface permit the escape of moisture and the entry of dry air therethrough. Additionally, the containers are retained closed via a latching mechanism; thereby substantially shielding the shoes from dirt and other debris.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a shoe transportation and storage case comprising independently-latchable hard-shell containers, tethered together to prevent separation of same; thereby, maintaining the shoes contained therein together. Venting apertures on the surface of each container, disguised as shoelace holes, permit ingress of air and egress of moisture and odors. Thus, a pair of shoes stored within the shoe case of the present invention will be protected or shielded from the onset of mildew and odors from retained moisture.

More specifically, the present invention is a hard-shell case for transportation and/or storage of shoes, wherein the case comprises a right shoe container and a left shoe container connected via securing a tether through aperture in the shoe containers. The left and right shoe containers comprise base portions, top portions, hinges connecting the base and top portions, and latches to secure the top portions in a closed position on the bottom portions.

The top portions comprise lace reliefs with vent apertures formed therein, wherein the vent apertures give the appearance of typical lace holes of a shoe; thereby, providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance. The vent apertures permit airflow, which facilitates drying of the upper portions of the shoes and, thus, prevents odors and mildew damage to the shoes contained within the shoe case. The hard shell of the shoe case prevents physical damage to the shoes.

Additionally, a recessed area is located on one side of the top portion of each container, wherein a label or other indicia can be applied. Thus, labels could be selectively installed to represent the maker of the shoes within the shoe case, the name of the owner of the shoe case, or the like. In an alternate embodiment, the shoe case can also have a replaceable deodorizer compound inserted therewithin, such as in a clip, insert, liner or compartment.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to maintain a pair of shoes in an unsoiled condition.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent separation of a pair of shoes.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to permit removal of moisture while the shoes are in storage.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to deodorize shoes via ventilation and an added deodorizer.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent mildew.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent damage to the shoes contained therewithin.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shoe case according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is shoe case 10, wherein shoe case 10 preferably comprises shoe holder 20 and tether 70. Shoe holder 20 preferably comprises right shoe container 30 and left shoe container 40, wherein shoe containers 30, 40 preferably comprise a material suitably rigid to provide protection for the contents therewithin, such as, for exemplary purposes only, plastic, fiberglass or metal.

Right shoe container 30 preferably comprises top 50 a, base 60 a, front hinge 140 a and rear hinge 150 a, front latch 120 a and rear latch 130 a, front ridge 180 a and rear ridge 190 a, lace reliefs 160 a, vent apertures 170, and indicia receptor 110 a. Top 50 a preferably comprises top surface 55 a and eye opening 95 a, wherein vent apertures 170 are disposed through top side surface 55 a. Left shoe container 40 preferably comprises top 50 b, base 60 b, front hinge 140 b and rear hinge 150 b, front latch 120 b and rear latch 130 b, front ridge 180 b and rear ridge 190 b, lace reliefs 160 b, vent apertures 170, and indicia receptor 110 b. Top 50 b preferably comprises top surface 55 b and eye opening 95 b, wherein vent apertures 170 are disposed through top side surface 55 b.

First end 80 a of tether 70 is preferably secured to top 50 a of shoe container 30, wherein first end 80 a preferably passes through aperture 90 a within eye opening 95 a. First end 80 a is preferably secured via tether adjustment means 100 a, wherein tether adjustment means 100 a preferably comprises, for exemplary purposes only, a buckle. Second end 80 b of tether 70 is preferably secured to top 50 b of shoe container 40, wherein second end 80 b preferably passes through aperture 90 b within eye opening 95 b. Second end 80 b is preferably secured via tether adjustment means 100 b, wherein tether adjustment means 100 b preferably comprises, for exemplary purposes only, a buckle. After first end 80 a and second end 80 b are secured to shoe container 30 and shoe container 40, respectively, shoe containers 30, 40 are retained in association together by tether 70.

In use, right shoe RS and left shoe LS are preferably inserted within their respective tops 50 a, 50 b of shoe containers 30, 40, respectively, and bottoms 60 a, 60 b are subsequently preferably secured to tops 50 a, 50 b, respectively, wherein front latches 120 a, 120 b and rear latches 130 a, 130 b preferably cooperatively engage front ridges 180 a, 180 b and rear ridges 190 a, 190 b respectively; thereby, containing shoes RS, LS within shoe containers 30, 40, respectively. Shoe case 10 can subsequently be selectively transported or stored.

It is envisioned in an alternate embodiment of the present invention that a deodorizing compound could be provided within shoe case 10, wherein said deodorizer could comprise charcoal, gels, oils, powders, and the like. The deodorizing compound could be replacably disposed within clips or compartments 200, and wherein clips or compartments 200 are disposed in top 50 a and top 50 b. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that deodorizing inserts or liners could also be utilized, in lieu of, or addition to, clips or compartments 200.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A case for storing and transporting a shoe, said case comprising: a container adapted to receive a shoe, said container comprising an upper surface, wherein said upper surface comprises at least one ventilation hole disposed therethrough.
 2. The case of claim 1, wherein said shoe carrying case comprises a shoe shape.
 3. The case of claim 1, further comprising a means for deodorizing selected from the group consisting of clips, compartments, liners, inserts, and combinations thereof.
 4. The case of claim 1, wherein the shoe is dried by airflow through said at least one ventilation hole.
 5. The case of claim 1, wherein said upper surface comprises lace reliefs, and wherein said at least one ventilation hole is disposed within said lace reliefs.
 6. The case of claim 5, wherein said at least one ventilation hole is disguised by said lace reliefs.
 7. The case of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ventilation holes arranged over and disposed through said upper surface to provide an appearance of shoelace holes.
 8. The case of claim 1, further comprising a second container, wherein said second container is a structural mirror image of said container, and wherein said shoe case is adapted to receive a pair of shoes.
 9. The case of claim 8, wherein said container and said second container are in tethered communication.
 10. The case of claim 1, wherein said case comprises a hard surface shell.
 11. The case of claim 1, wherein said case further comprises a base and a top, and wherein said top is hingedly attached to said base.
 12. The case of claim 11, wherein said top comprises a ridge member and said base comprises a latch member.
 13. The case of claim 12, wherein said latch member cooperatively engages said ridge member, whereby said shoe case is retained in a closed position.
 14. A method of protecting, storing and transporting shoes, said method comprising the step of: ventilating an upper portion of a shoe case, wherein moisture can escape therefrom.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of ventilating further comprises the step of: providing apertures through said upper portion.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of ventilating further comprises the step of: camouflaging said apertures to appear as shoelace holes.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: hingedly closing said shoe case.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: securing said shoe case via a locking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a latch and a ridge.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: providing a means for deodorizing.
 20. A shoe case comprising: disguised ventilation apertures. 